The Painted Man

The Painted Man takes place in a world where demons rise from the ground each night to hunt humans, who can only survive behind protective wards. The story follows three main characters in their youth: Arlen, a brave boy who discovers an affinity for ward magic; Leesha, a healer's apprentice seeking her path; and Rojer, a young musician marked by tragedy. In this world, humanity has retreated into scattered settlements, abandoning the ways of their ancestors who once fought back against demonkind. Agricultural communities struggle to survive, trading between warded settlements via Messengers who brave demon-filled nights on the road. As the characters grow older, each develops unique abilities and perspectives on how to confront the demon threat. Their paths converge as they seek ways to help humanity rise from its defensive crouch and take the fight to their ancient enemies. The novel explores themes of courage versus fear, tradition versus progress, and the price of safety versus the cost of freedom. It presents a fresh take on classic fantasy elements while examining how societies respond to existential threats.

Readers rate The Painted Man (The Warded Man in US) as an engaging fantasy debut with strong worldbuilding and a unique magic system based on defensive wards. Readers praise: - Fast-paced action sequences - The demon-filled night concept creates tension - Character development of Arlen and Leesha - The ward-based magic system feels fresh - Rural/village settings rather than typical castle/court fantasy Common criticisms: - Female characters face frequent sexual violence/threats - Middle section drags with multiple time jumps - Some find the ending rushed - Character motivations can feel inconsistent - Writing style described as basic/straightforward Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 from 131,000+ ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 from 3,000+ ratings LibraryThing: 4.1/5 from 900+ ratings Reader quote: "The world-building and demon lore hooked me immediately, but the constant threat of rape as a plot device became exhausting." - Goodreads reviewer

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson A man bonds with supernatural powers to fight monsters that emerge at night while struggling with his past traumas.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss A young man studies magic and pursues revenge against the demons who killed his family.

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan A warrior trains from childhood in combat and mystical arts to defend his realm from otherworldly threats.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown A low-born miner infiltrates the ruling class to overthrow a society that oppressed his people.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence A young prince leads a band of outlaws on a path of vengeance through a post-apocalyptic world filled with remnants of ancient magic.

🔮 The original title in the UK was "The Painted Man," while in the US it was released as "The Warded Man" - both referring to the same protagonist. 🖋️ Peter V. Brett wrote the first draft of the novel during his subway commute to work in New York City, typing on his HP iPaq Pocket PC. ⚔️ The ward system in the book was partly inspired by role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, where magical symbols and runes play important roles in protection and combat. 🌙 The book spawned the successful "Demon Cycle" series, ultimately consisting of five main novels and several novellas set in the same world. 📚 Despite initial rejections from publishers, the book rights were eventually sold in a three-book deal for over $25,000, and it has since been translated into more than 25 languages.